Commission requests DHCD documentation and oversight after records indicate required structural defect warranty security may not have been secured before unit sales
WASHINGTON — Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E (ANC 1E) has officially requested documentation and oversight from the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) regarding potential noncompliance with condominium warranty security requirements at 3619 Georgia Avenue NW. If the City or developer did not follow the proper protocols, ANC 1E wants the public to know about it.
At its public meeting, the Commission unanimously approved Resolution #1E-2026-0302, referred to by the Zoning & Economic Development Committee, which raises concerns that required structural defect warranty security may not have been secured prior to the sale of residential units at the property, as required under District law.
The resolution outlines a timeline showing the condominium’s registration in 2020, issuance of a Certificate of Final Occupancy in October 2021, and initial unit sales beginning in December 2021. Documentation provided by the Unit Owners Association indicates that, as of December 2023, DHCD had no record of the required warranty security on file.
“This is a fundamental consumer protection issue,” said ANC 1E Chair Josh Jacobson. “When residents purchase a home, they are entitled to the legal safeguards that protect them from major structural defects. Our role is to ensure those protections are enforced and that agencies are fully accountable when questions arise.”
The resolution formally requests that DHCD provide documentation confirming whether warranty security was ever posted, explain any enforcement actions taken or not taken, and clarify how compliance is verified before unit sales occur. It also raises concerns about the financial burden placed on unit owners when required protections are not in place.
“Residents should not be left holding the bag for failures that the law is explicitly designed to prevent,” said Commissioner Brad Howard (1E01), who introduced the resolution, and whose Single Member District includes 3619 Georgia Avenue NW. “We are asking for clear answers, full transparency, and accountability from both the developer and the District. If there are gaps in enforcement, they need to be identified and fixed immediately.”
ANC 1E’s action reflects broader concerns about regulatory compliance and consumer protection in new condominium developments across the District. The Commission will continue to monitor the situation and pursue follow-up action as necessary to protect affected residents.
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About ANC 1E:
Advisory Neighborhood Commission 1E represents the neighborhoods of Pleasant Plains, Park View, and the Howard University area. Commissioners are elected to advise the District government on decisions that affect their neighborhoods, including public safety, transportation, planning, zoning, and city services. All ANC meetings are open to the public, and residents are encouraged to participate in shaping the future of their community.
About Advisory Neighborhood Commissions:
ANCs are nonpartisan, locally elected bodies in Washington, D.C., that represent neighborhood interests to the District government. While ANCs do not have legislative power, they are given “great weight” on decisions before city agencies and the Council. Commissioners serve two-year terms and are elected by single-member districts within each ward.
ANC 1E 